A US state could see flying cars as a Senator puts forward a bold bill.
Flying cars may no longer be just a theme of sci-fi movies like Back to the Future. What once seemed like pure fantasy is edging closer to reality, and one US state is preparing to make it legal.
Last Wednesday (5 November), a Pennsylvania Democratic state senator introduced an unusual bill to legalise flying cars, despite the technology being far from ready for widespread public adoption.
Senator Marty Flynn is making his second attempt after the same bill failed during last year's Pennsylvania General Assembly session.
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Flynn announced in a memo that he would reintroduce the bill despite its previous rejection. In the note, he explained he was looking for eager co-sponsors to help make Pennsylvania 'one of the first states to introduce this revolutionary technology.'
Now, according to the bill’s status tracker, he's already secured two co-sponsors.
The memo noted that Flynn openly recognised the 'roadable aircraft' field isn't 'fully realised' and stressed that his bill is necessary to prepare for future urban and rural aviation technologies.
“Across the nation, advanced air mobility — a rapidly evolving sector within aviation that encompasses a range of innovative aircraft, technologies, and infrastructure — has the potential to generate new revolutionary transportation options and transform how people access essential services, like emergency and medical services, goods, and mobility across urban, rural, and regional communities,” Flynn wrote.
“As technology continues to advance, the integration of these types of vehicles requires forward-thinking legislation that addresses operating and equipment requirements.”
The state legislator explained the importance of installing 'key regulations' early to make sure flying cars are 'integrated safely into existing traffic systems without causing disruption or safety hazards,' the memo stated.
Similarly, other states and agencies in the US have floated the idea of normalising flying vehicles, so things are moving pretty fast. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the state’s Department of Transportation are pushing for flying vehicles in Florida by the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, Minnesota and New Hampshire already passed legislation recognising flying cars as legal vehicles, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched a flying vehicle pilot program in August.
“The next great technological revolution in aviation is here. The United States will lead the way, and doing so will cement America’s status as a global leader in transportation innovation,” Duffy stated at the time.
In 2023, the Federal Aviation Authority approved SpaceX-backed Alef Aeronautics’ flying car for road and air testing. The vehicle, which resembles a sports car before it takes off, costs $299,000, as per its website.
While that price tag puts it well beyond most consumers' reach, it's positioned as comparable to luxury sports cars and significantly cheaper than private helicopters.